Jay Shah: A New Era for ICC Leadership

Jay Shah officially assumed the role of ICC chair on December 1, succeeding Greg Barclay. As his tenure begins, one of the first major decisions awaiting finalisation is the venue for the 2025 Champions Trophy.

In his inaugural statement, Shah expressed gratitude to the ICC directors and member boards for their trust and support. 

"I am honoured to take on the role of ICC chair and grateful for the support and trust of the ICC directors and member boards," Shah said in a statement on his first day in the role. "This is an exciting time for the sport as we prepare for the LA28 Olympic Games and work to make cricket more inclusive and engaging for fans worldwide."

"We are at a critical juncture with the coexistence of multiple formats and the need to accelerate the growth of the women's game. Cricket holds immense potential globally, and I look forward to working closely with the ICC team and Member countries to seize these opportunities and take the sport to new heights."

At 36 years old, Shah is the youngest individual to serve as ICC chair. Before this role, he was the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), though his successor in that position remains unannounced. Shah also held leadership roles as president of the Asian Cricket Council and chair of the ICC's finance and commercial affairs committee.

A pressing matter on the ICC’s agenda is finalising Pakistan as the host nation for the 2025 Champions Trophy. Imran Khwaja, the deputy chair, has been acting as interim chair and is expected to oversee the conclusion of this issue.

The tournament, set to commence on February 19, faces a significant hurdle due to India’s reluctance to send its team to Pakistan, citing government advice. The PCB has remained firm in its desire to host all matches in Pakistan, particularly after agreeing to send their team to India for the 2023 ODI World Cup. However, discussions are underway to potentially shift India’s matches to a neutral venue as a compromise, with an official decision anticipated soon.

Shah’s leadership promises a transformative period for cricket, with key decisions and milestones shaping the sport’s future on a global scale.